After PM says unilateral declaration of Palestinian statehood would unravel past agreements and lead to 'one-sided Israeli measures,' political advisor to PA leader says, 'Netanyahu's government decided unilaterally that settlement construction does not contradict peace'

Ali Waked|Published: 16.11.09 , 00:28

Nimar Hamad, political advisor to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, commented on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's
statements regarding the possibility of Palestinian declaration of independence and stated that Netanyahu's government is already engaged in unilateral steps.

"Netanyahu's actions are all unilateral, he and his government decide unilaterally on settlement construction in Jerusalem. He and his government have unilaterally decided that settlement construction does not contradict peace.

"In fact, from the day that we signed the agreements Israel has been engaging in a unilateral policy," Hamad told Ynet Sunday night.

Earlier Sunday, Netanyahu told
the Saban Forum in Jerusalem that there was no alternative to negotiations to secure peace and that any unilateral moves by the Palestinians would unravel past agreements.

As for Netanyahu's claim that Israel has eased the daily life of Palestinians in the West Bank, Hamad said, "You can lie to some of the people some of the time, but you can't lie to all the people all the time. You can't lie to both the Palestinian and Israeli nations."

According to Abbas' advisor, the Palestinians will not declare statehood unilaterally. "We are looking into the possibility of approaching the international community, including the US, to receive support for the two-state solution and an end to the occupation.

"We want the UN Security Council to determine that a Palestinian state will be established on the 1967 lands (lands conquered by Israel during the Six Day War)," he said.

Hamad said that while Netanyahu speaks of negotiations with no preconditions, he is establishing facts on the ground by "Judaizing Jerusalem."

Addressing the PM's claim that Israel is working to boost the Palestinian economy, Hamad said, "Netanyahu is under the impression that if he gives us more food we will be glad to live under the occupation. I want to make it clear that IDF forces are still entering (Palestinian-controlled areas in the) West Bank. They entered Ramallah twice this past week. Is this the model of the state he has in mind for us? Would he agree to live in such a state?"

The advisor added, "How can we speak of two states with the Jewish settlements? Where will the Palestinian state be established? I urge Israelis to visit the West Bank for three hours and then decide for themselves whether the two-state solution is in jeopardy or not.

"All of our communities are surrounded by settlements, and the Israeli media continues to reveal additional settlement construction plans despite Israel's claim that it has halted all construction in the West Bank," Hamad said.

Meanwhile, Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Hossam Zaki said that an appeal to the UN's Security Council for the recognition of a Palestinian state is not an alternative to negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.

In an interview with the BBC, Zaki said that an appeal to the Security Council should be made in accordance with political circumstances and only after the Arab countries find benefit in such a step.